Average Payout For A Back Injury From A Car Accident
Even a minor car accident in Baltimore can lead to serious, irreversible back injuries. This is true even at low speeds and when there is little or no damage to the vehicle. Because insurance companies don’t think that their injuries are genuine, many people with neck and back problems struggle to receive the compensation they deserve. It can result in lengthy, drawn-out legal fights that may last years. Luckily, Hyatt & Goldbloom has a clear understanding of the average back injury settlement for a car accident and can use that knowledge to negotiate your payout.
Understanding Back Injury Liability
The spine has three natural curves to assist us to maintain our balance. While our spines are undoubtedly flexible and robust, they can be easily harmed by sudden traumatic force. This may happen even if you’re wearing a seat belt, and it’s frequently caused by seat belts.
Although seat belts save lives, they can also lead to severe back injuries. They compress the spine on two points while the remainder of it bends and twists during a vehicle accident. This causes flexion and extension muscular tears, ruptured spinal discs, and possible fracture development. The spine is referred to by its grouped parts, which are:
- Cervical (neck)
- Thoracic (upper neck)
- Lumbar (lower back)
- Sacral (sacrum, found in the pelvis)
- Coccygeal (coccyx, found in the pelvis)
When we talk about back problems, we’re usually talking about thoracic and lumbar spine injuries. It’s extremely unusual for someone to damage their sacrum or coccyx in a typical car accident. If the injury is to vertebrae or spinal disc, diagnostic films, medical records, doctors and attorneys will want to see the specific level of the spine (as defined by the vertebrae number) where it happened. The following levels are:
- Cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) – neck
- Thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12) – middle/upper back
- Lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) – lower back
- Sacral vertebrae (S1-S5) – pelvis
The discs are sandwiched between the vertebrae. This is why, for example, a “C3 disc injury” is never used. Because the injured disc lies between the two vertebrae marked “C3-C4,” it would be known as a “C3-C4 disk injury.”
Factors That Determine Your Back Injury Settlement Amount
Back injuries are typically accompanied by soft tissue damage that is tough to correct. Back injuries in severe circumstances can lead to a victim’s entire life being destroyed. The prospect of endless suffering gives you the right to be fairly compensated. However, depending on where the accident occurred and the case’s background situation, the average back injury settlement from a car accident might vary. The following are some of the most frequent compensatable losses incurred as a result of a car accident:
- Medical expenses (including hospital bills and medication)
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and physical suffering
- Lost wages
- Car repair expenses
- Permanent/partial disability (depending on the severity of your accident)
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement for a Neck or Back Injury?
The settlement for a back injury is determined by a number of elements. Because each situation is unique, there are no standard amounts awarded in settlements of judgments. Depending on the severity of your condition and the facts of your case as well as evidence, you’re back injury settlement can vary. However, the average back injury settlement from a car accident ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. Below are some of the variables that can affect this settlement amount:
- How did your back or neck injury affect your overall quality of life?
- Did you suffer a permanent disability?
- Did your injury result in long-term pain and suffering?
- Has your neck or back injury prevented you from returning to work?
At Hyatt & Goldbloom, our personal injury attorneys have one major objective: to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve following a serious back injury in Baltimore. The insurance carrier has a different aim: to minimize your payment as much as feasible. Contact our office today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you and your family.
Common Back Injuries From Car Accidents
Sprains and strains are the most prevalent types of lower back and middle back ailments, but below are some of the other more frequent back injuries that car accident victims may suffer from:
- Herniated Disc – When the supportive discs in the spine slip out of place, fracture, or rupture, this occurs. A herniated disc can be caused by a severe blow.
- Fractures – When vertebrae are damaged in a car accident, they may break under the strain of being compressed. This is less frequent but can be deadly, requiring surgical hardware.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – A collision may damage or bruise the spinal cord owing to the tremendous force. A spinal cord injury does not occur frequently as a result of a typical vehicle accident. Herniated discs are one of the most typical forms of back pain, and they cause spinal cord irritation in roughly 90% of cases. For these injuries, substantial spinal cord recovery is frequently required.
New Statistics on Neck and Back Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Neck and back injuries caused by car accidents have decreased over time. In 2019, there were 2.5 million vehicle accident injuries in the United States, according to estimates. Around 20% of those (500,000) had a neck and back injury.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6 million vehicle accidents in the United States in 2017. There were 2,734,000 injuries and 37,133 fatalities among them. Approximately 11% of automobile accident victims incurred some sort of injury. Additionally, the NHTSA found that about 27% of individuals hurt in automobile accidents in 2017 had neck and back injuries. These injuries are expected to cost the economy $18.6 billion each year in medical expenses and lost productivity.
Contact Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers Today
Have you recently been injured in a car accident in Maryland? Are you wondering, what’s the average settlement for a back injury? You’re not alone. Back injuries are extremely common after an auto accident, and Hyatt & Goldbloom routinely represents the injured victims of Baltimore. We understand what it takes to hold negligent parties and their insurance companies accountable for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation and to receive the maximum compensation for your back injury.
